Chapter 2

Judge & Jury

"Now, obviously we can't go in with you," Arthur said as he, Harry, and Ichigo stood outside the courtroom doors. "So, be respectful, answer when spoken to, and you'll be fine."

Ichigo nodded in agreement with Arthur but didn't add any more to the conversation. Harry still seemed skeptical. Without further promoting, however, Harry entered the courtroom, the heavy doors falling shut behind him. Arthur turned to look at Ichigo before he looked down at his watch. "I don't imagine this taking more than an hour. I'd like to run by my office to pick up some paperwork before we leave, would you like to join me?"

"No thank you," Ichigo replied as he shook his head. "I'd like to do some exploring of my own, if that's alright?"

Arthur was confused as to why Ichigo would ask him such a question as if the Weasley had any say over what that man could and couldn't do. Nevertheless, he humored him by shrugging his shoulders. "Do whatever you want, just don't… don't do anything that might cause Harry more trouble."

Ichigo seemed to take the words to heart as he nodded. "That's the last thing any of us want, Mr. Weasley." That was enough to end the conversation it seemed, as they parted ways after that.

The shinigami turned around and returned the way they had come. He was eager to see if Draco's father remained in the Department of Mysteries, and if he had, Ichigo would like to speak with him. After what Draco and he had discussed about his friend, Ichigo wanted to see what the man was like. The boy hadn't said anything expressly, but it was pretty obvious he was a death eater or something of the like.

To his dismay, the man wasn't where they had seen him earlier. Ichigo took his time maneuvering through the shelves of prophecies as he continued his investigation.

'Do ya think there's one for you?'

Ichigo couldn't help but jump at the voice. Shiro had been relatively quiet since they had taken residence with the Order of the Phoenix. The shinigami couldn't help but wonder if the name had been influenced by his legends. Upon further reflection, he thought that even that was too egotistical for him to believe. Not everything was about him.

Ichigo pondered the question. "It's hard to say."

'Would you look at it if there was?'

Ichigo paused. Would he? Would he look at Harry's? If he had known about what would happen when he used Mugetsu, would he still have done it? Probably not. Ichigo was young then, and he knew deep in his soul that there was no way he would be able to bring about the destruction of his friends and family knowingly. Regardless of if they had died to Aizen's hand or his, Ichigo would never have chosen to live if they couldn't. The shinigami would've chosen to perish with them, together as a family.

"No... One often meets their fate on the path they choose to avoid it. A wise man once told me that, and I take it to heart. Ignorance is bliss." Ichigo answered. Shiro didn't reply, so Ichigo continued on with his search.

Ichigo thought about searching for the man's reiraku, but he didn't know him well enough to actually know which one was his, not with so many wizards at the ministry. He only dedicated another ten minutes to search for the man before he gave up. After all, the shinigami was sure to see him again, especially if he was a death eater. Ichigo would almost say it was inevitable.

Perhaps he should leave the Department of Mysteries and explore somewhere else? No, he doubted he had enough time for that. Arthur had probably already gathered the items from his office and was back at the courtroom. With this in mind, Ichigo turned back around and returned as well.

To his surprise, Arthur had not beaten him back. He was also startled when he saw Dumbledore slip through the heavy wooden door at a rather fast pace.

He called out to him, "Headmaster!"

The aged wizard abruptly turned around and sped towards him. Ichigo was about to ask him what he was doing when the man took hold of his wrist and dragged him away. Ichigo called out again as he was being pulled along, but the man did not answer, so he didn't try again after that.

They hurried down the winding shelves of prophecies. After several minutes, Dumbledore finally stopped and let go of Ichigo's wrist. The silence surrounding them was absolute. When by the courtroom and on his search for Draco's father, Ichigo could always hear a hum of voices and bustling activity, even though he could not see it. Now, though, it seemed they were so far away that even that had disappeared.

"Please, forgive me, Ichigo, but I must speak with you," Dumbledore explained.

Ichigo rubbed the wrist Dumbledore had held onto, even though the old man's grip wasn't strong enough to cause any form of discomfort. "Then couldn't we have done that where we were? I don't much appreciate being dragged along with no rhyme or reason."

"Once again, I apologize. I just," Dumbledore paused, thinking of the best way to word what he was about to say. "I need to distance myself from Harry, at the moment."

Ichigo's head perked up at the revelation. "Oh?" he prodded.

Dumbledore sighed, "The ministry is wary of me. Man will always fear what they cannot see and cannot control, and the minister is no different. With You-Know-Who having returned, he is paranoid, and instead of turning his efforts towards more useful endeavors, he is turning them towards me as a scapegoat."

Ichigo's eyebrow raised. "Does this mean they're going to be breathing down my neck as well?"

"I'm not sure," Dumbledore answered. "They would never acknowledge you having any connection to the Ebon Phoenix, regardless of rumors. Many did see you separate your soul from your body, however, which is viewed to be some of the darkest magic. Surely they'll keep an eye on you for that alone. Which, is why my hands are tied on this matter."

"Oh yes, I remember. I got your owl saying that the ministry had sent someone to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, even though we had already that I would fill it? I'm sure they'd be interested just because I was originally going to teach it this year."

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. I don't know who they're sending yet. The only thing I do know is that it is best if I keep a distance from Harry this year."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Ichigo asked.

"Like I said before, the ministry is watching me. I don't want to cause Harry anymore problems than he already has. And besides, he has you to look over him."

Ichigo nodded absentmindedly and they said their goodbyes after that. When he returned to the courtroom, both Harry and Arthur were waiting for him. Arthur was carrying a rather large stack of papers that Ichigo assumed were from his office. Ichigo looked at Harry and noted the solemn look in the youth's eyes.

"I take it from your face that the trial didn't go well?" The shinigami asked.

Harry looked up when he heard Ichigo's voice. "Oh, no. Headmaster Dumbledore showed up and I was cleared of all charges, but…"

"But…?"

"Well, I wanted to speak with him, but he left so quickly I didn't have the chance."

"I see," Ichigo said as he patted Harry's shoulder. "I'm sure you'll see him again soon, but right now, I'm ready to go back and have dinner with everyone."

The other two nodded in agreement and they returned the way they had come. While they were slipping through the crowds, Ichigo took the opportunity to look for the wizard he was searching for earlier. That too, was unfruitful. Their phone box appeared before them and lifted them back to the surface. Ichigo was surprised all three of them had managed to fit inside the phone booth. The shinigami was not a small man by any means.

When they returned to the order, they were met with cheers and warm embraces. Ichigo happily let the attention fall on Harry as he slipped around them. He found Winky in the kitchens helping the other elf cook.

Ichigo approached her and asked, "What's all this for then?"

In hindsight, perhaps the shinigami should have announced his presence before walking up behind the house elf. She was so startled that she dropped the bowl she was holding. Ichigo, ever the fast one, was able to catch it before it spilt all over the ground. A feat in and of itself, when considering how close Winky was to the floor herself and how far down Ichigo had to bend down to grab it. Nevertheless, grab it he did. Instead of returning it to Winky, he sat it on the counter to give her time to calm down.

"I'm so sorry, Winky. I didn't mean to startle you." Ichigo said.

Winky placed a tiny shaking hand over her racing heart and sighed. "You scared Winky, that you did."

"Again, I'm so sorry." Ichigo smiled, "Is there anyway I can make it up to you?"

Had he asked at the beginning of their relationship, she would have said no and shooed him away. They've known each other for almost a year now and Winky has learned that when Ichigo asks to help, he really wants to. So instead of shooing him away like she wanted to, Winky asked him to reach the vinegar from the cabinet. He happily obliged and they settled into a comfortable pace. Winky would ask for an ingredient or measuring container, and Ichigo would hand it to her so she could add it to whatever it was she was cooking.

Lemon-marinated chicken, it would seem.

When Molly returned from the welcoming committee for Harry and saw the shinigami in the kitchen cooking, she promptly ushered him out. Ichigo knew better than to argue, so he parted ways with his house elf and joined everyone else in the sitting room. Although, there were enough people in the residence that the group spilled out into the hallway as well.

He found Harry speaking with Ron and Hermione and honestly, when was he not - especially since they had been parted since the end of the school year. The three noticed his approach unlike Winky, and greeted him with smiles.

"Did you know they were planning this?" Harry asked.

Ichigo looked around at the happy gathering. Sirius and Moody were talking by the door way, Arthur and Ginny were sitting together on a nearby couch, and others were mingling. "No, but I'm glad they did. Congratulations on being pardoned. If I had a glass, I'd raise it about now." Ichigo laughed.

Harry's cheeks reddened at the attention, "Thanks, but without you and Mr. Weasley and Headmaster, I wouldn't have been able to do it."

Ichigo noticed the slight pause when Harry mentioned Dumbledore, but he chose not to comment on it. Instead, he waved his hand in dismissal. "I didn't do anything. I just tagged along for moral support."

Harry sighed. "I need all the moral support I can get right about now."